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News About Tech, Money and InnovationTue, 31 Mar 2015 18:16:38 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1Copyright 2015, VentureBeatNew platform transforms Excel spreadsheets into working web apps in minutes, automaticallyhttp://venturebeat.com/2013/11/13/new-platform-transforms-excel-spreadsheets-into-working-web-apps-in-minutes-automatically/
http://venturebeat.com/2013/11/13/new-platform-transforms-excel-spreadsheets-into-working-web-apps-in-minutes-automatically/#commentsWed, 13 Nov 2013 18:02:03 +0000http://venturebeat.com/?p=859936Karma. Anyone who has spent too much time in Excel spreadsheets needs some. Good karma, that is. The Karma Platform is a new way for small and medium-sized business to get out of Excel spreadsheets and onto the web, with data capture and data analysis available anywhere, anytime, while managed from a central location. “With a […]
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Karma. Anyone who has spent too much time in Excel spreadsheets needs some.

Good karma, that is.

The Karma Platform is a new way for small and medium-sized business to get out of Excel spreadsheets and onto the web, with data capture and data analysis available anywhere, anytime, while managed from a central location.

The great thing about Excel spreadsheets is that they’re simple, quick to create, and cheap to make and share. But they’re also hard to keep track of, hard to share, and hard to keep current. Web apps are great for sharing and keeping data up-to-date, but they’re typically expensive to create, expensive to update, and not extremely flexible.

Kora says his Budapest, Hungary-based startup is the solution.

“Karma Platform makes your business API economy ready in 1 minute,” he says. “It also allows you to immediately adapt to the ever changing business needs and keep you agile. No code writing skills are required, use what you already know: the language of spreadsheets.”

Creating an app is as simple as creating a spreadsheet, he says. Upload the spreadsheet to Karma, and the platform automatically creates an app that mirrors the business logic inherent in the spreadsheet, including calculated fields. Apps such as managing invoices or subscriptions, or a mini customer relationship management system, or perhaps a digital record of an organization’s digital devices for IT, are simple to create. Apps that require heavy multi-dimensional data, on the other hand, are not suitable.

But the apps are more advanced than you might think:

“We recently deployed a system for an energy trading company that supports deal capturing [and] managing market data and cash flow calculations on large amount of data,” Kora told me via email.

Change management is easy … simply update the original spreadsheet with new rows and new calculations, and re-upload it to Karma. The system instantly updates the web app and makes it available on the web, optimized for desktop, tablet, or smartphone. Karma uses the Google Web Toolkit, J2EE, and can be implemented with multiple database options: MySQL, MS SQL, or Oracle.

And even more powerfully, multiple spreadsheets can be joined to the same database, with fine-grained access rights to allow the right users access to the right data. In addition, Karma offers API access to integrate these apps to the rest of what your company might be doing — which essentially can take this solution into the realm of enterprise, as a large company could use this for simple, quick needs, while still integrating core data and apps into an overall corporate architecture.

Karma Platform is currently still in beta but is already offering cloud-based services to companies for around $1/user/day, as well as larger solutions to enterprises at variable pricing. Karma recently tried its hand at an Indiegogo campaign but was unsuccessful in reaching its relatively-modest $25,000 goal.

That’s most likely due to the fact that crowdfunding works best for things crowds are interested in … not business apps. But the platform is interesting and potentially extremely powerful for businesses.

]]>0New platform transforms Excel spreadsheets into working web apps in minutes, automaticallyEvernote’s new features are for the proshttp://venturebeat.com/2013/01/31/evernotes-new-features-are-for-the-pros/
http://venturebeat.com/2013/01/31/evernotes-new-features-are-for-the-pros/#commentsThu, 31 Jan 2013 14:00:35 +0000http://venturebeat.com/?p=613986CEO Phil Libin said his company is "getting more serious about making Evernote a great experience in a work setting."
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Popular note-taking service Evernote is on a mission to help you keep track of life’s nagging details.

Today, Evernote announced a slew of updates to its apps and services, which it designed to appeal to busy professionals. The company claims that about two-thirds of its 45 million fans already use it to improve workplace productivity.

Evernote Hello, the smartphone app that helps you remember everyone you’ve ever met, will scan business cards. To make it even easier to network, the app’s new technology — “Evernote Connect” — uses audio tones to share contact information between phones.

In addition, the 2.0 release will include an integration with Facebook and LinkedIn so an email address pulled from a business card or calendar entry can be enough for Evernote Hello to build a detailed profile. If a contact isn’t a fan of social media, the option still exists to type in their information manually.

Remember Evernote’s acquisition of nifty handwriting app Penultimate in May? The team has been working on updating the app with better Evernote integration, search and sync features, and a fresh interface. But the biggest benefit is that the app will be available for free — previously , it cost $0.99.

In an interview at the VentureBeat office, Libin (pictured above) said the grand vision for Evernote is to “make you smarter.” Evernote is more than just a digital notebook for consumers. He explained that the company is getting “more serious” about offering a “great experience in a work setting.”

Libin said the company will never mine data from your notes and sell it to advertisers. However, he believes that Evernote can analyze that data to benefit consumers and make them smarter. For instance, a recent update to the food app incorporates automatic recipe detection. In your mass of notes, Evernote’s technology can recognize food items and help you make a shopping list.

“We will be adding more intelligence to the things you capture in Evernote,” said Libin.

]]>0Evernote’s new features are for the prosApperian pumps up with strategic investment from Intel Capitalhttp://venturebeat.com/2013/01/23/apperian-pumps-up-with-strategic-investment-from-intel-capital/
http://venturebeat.com/2013/01/23/apperian-pumps-up-with-strategic-investment-from-intel-capital/#commentsWed, 23 Jan 2013 21:11:45 +0000http://venturebeat.com/?p=609314Apperian receives strategic investment from Intel Capital to help enterprise custoemrs deploy and manage mobile applications.
]]>Whether you are churning out reps at the gym, leading a people’s revolution, or firing out emails on your iPhone, a firm grip is your symbol.

Apperian is an mobile app management platform that today announced receiving a strategic investment from Intel Capital.

Apperian’s cloud-based Enterprise App Service Environment (EASE) platform helps enterprise customers deploy and manage their mobile business applications. Its logo of a clenched fist holding a smart phone bespeaks a commitment to “putting users ahead of the device; the man before the machine.”

The software connects mobile applications to backend servers and keeps all the information unified. There are also security features to keep data safe outside of protected networks, analytical tools, and features that brands can use to create customized app catalogs.

In this era of Bring Your Own Device, large companies are increasingly using mobile business applications to keep their employees productive on-the-go. Apperian keeps the deployment of these apps in tip top shape, and its services are in high demand. A statement issued this morning cites 276 percent growth in subscription business over the past year. Its customer base has doubled and its users, tripled.

This funding from Intel Capital will bulk up Apperian to lift this heavier client wait. While the exact amount was not disclosed, it was revealed that it brings Apperian’s total funding to $28 million. A little research and basic arithmetic leads me to believe that the funding comes to $4.6 million. Previous investors include Bessemer Venture Partners, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and North Bridge Venture Partners who contributed $12.4 million in March.

]]>0Apperian pumps up with strategic investment from Intel CapitalKony grabs funding to build mobile business appshttp://venturebeat.com/2012/05/23/kony-grabs-funding-to-build-mobile-business-apps/
http://venturebeat.com/2012/05/23/kony-grabs-funding-to-build-mobile-business-apps/#commentsWed, 23 May 2012 23:04:54 +0000http://venturebeat.com/?p=460033No — not that Kony. Enterprise-minded company Kony builds mobile apps for business and consumers and encourages the bring-your-own-device movement with an enterprise app store. Wednesday it announced a $15 million third round of funding. Kony’s main platform, KonyOne, allows businesses to write one app that can run on multiple mobile devices. The service also caters to […]
]]>No — not thatKony. Enterprise-minded company Kony builds mobile apps for business and consumers and encourages the bring-your-own-device movement with an enterprise app store. Wednesday it announced a $15 million third round of funding.

Kony’s main platform, KonyOne, allows businesses to write one app that can run on multiple mobile devices. The service also caters to business-to-business and consumer-focused app building needs. The company recently launched pre-built industry-specific apps for industries such as automotive, media, and retail. Kony’s also working on a new platform for release next month, focusing on business-to-employee app building.

The company just finished its fiscal year and boasts a 200 percent growth in business. It also says it has added 30 customers in the last year, including Scottrade and Toyota.

Kony faces competition from other mobile marketing and application development companies, such as Netbiscuits, which counts Siemens and eBay as customers.

Insight Venture Partners led the $15 million round, which will help manage growth and hire new employees.

“FY2012 was another year of record growth for Kony. We made major extensions to our technology platform and application portfolio and won the business of dozens of new enterprise customers. We also made strategic investments in operational and management infrastructure,” said Raj Koneru Kony chief executive in a statement. “This funding will help us continue managing the incredible growth we’re seeing in our business.”

Kony has raised close to $39 million since its launch in 2007. The company is based in Orlando, Florida.

]]>0Kony grabs funding to build mobile business appsApperian raises $12.4M to put your company’s apps on your iPadhttp://venturebeat.com/2012/03/13/apperian-raises-12-4m-for-business-ipad-app-platform/
http://venturebeat.com/2012/03/13/apperian-raises-12-4m-for-business-ipad-app-platform/#commentsTue, 13 Mar 2012 11:30:54 +0000http://venturebeat.com/?p=402239A startup called Apperian just raised $12.4 million to help businesses build their own apps and access them on tablets and smartphones. The company developed its Enterprise App Services Environment (EASE) platform to let companies create and deploy apps for their employees to use. Instead of dealing with the approval process to publish an app to […]
]]>A startup called Apperian just raised $12.4 million to help businesses build their own apps and access them on tablets and smartphones.

The company developed its Enterprise App Services Environment (EASE) platform to let companies create and deploy apps for their employees to use. Instead of dealing with the approval process to publish an app to the Android Market or the iOS App Store, which can take time and resources, businesses can publish their apps with Apperian.

By logging in with your company’s credentials, you only see the apps for your company, unlike the mainstream app stores. Apps can also be customized based on each employee’s department, so the sales staff can’t access the IT department’s apps and vice versa.

Last fall, Apple reported that 93 percent of Fortune 500 companies have deployed or are testing iPads, and Apperian is hoping to capture a piece of that market. Apperian is also trying to get in on the bring-your-own-device movement, in which more and more employees are bringing their own phones and tablets to use at their jobs.

Apperian competes with SAP, which offers pre-made apps for businesses to do work on phones and tablets.

Apperian is based in Boston and recently opened offices in the United Kingdom and France. This round of funding came from existing investors North Bridge Venture Partners, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers’ iFund, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Common Angels. The company has raised $24 million to date. Apperian is available for iOS, Android, and Blackberry.

]]>0Apperian raises $12.4M to put your company’s apps on your iPadPodio unleashes user-made work apps on the iPhonehttp://venturebeat.com/2011/09/20/podio-iphone-app/
http://venturebeat.com/2011/09/20/podio-iphone-app/#commentsTue, 20 Sep 2011 15:00:56 +0000http://venturebeat.com/?p=333270Podio, a company that lets anyone easily create Web apps tailored to their business workflow, today officially launched an iPhone app. The company’s app builder, which launched back in March, lets users without any technical background easily create business apps, and also gives users access to over 200,000 apps available in Podio’s app store. The Podio […]
]]>Podio, a company that lets anyone easily create Web apps tailored to their business workflow, today officially launched an iPhone app.

The company’s app builder, which launched back in March, lets users without any technical background easily create business apps, and also gives users access to over 200,000 apps available in Podio’s app store. The Podio platform includes capabilities such as project management, group collaboration and social intranet. It lets users to pick and choose which capabilities they need, so Podio apps can quickly be shaped to best suit different organizations and purposes.

Podio points to a swimming pool repair company in Kuwait, Atlas Blue, which has built an app to let its workers in the field easily update work orders, add photographs, and share data with their colleagues back in the office. You can get a better sense of what Podio’s iPhone app offers in the video below.

The new iPhone app (which has actually been available for a few weeks already on the iTunes Store but which the company only began talking about today), gives Podio customers complete access to apps they’ve created in Podio’s desktop Web interface, thereby giving any company the power to tap into a mobile workforce.

]]>0Podio unleashes user-made work apps on the iPhoneDoubleDutch launches “HYVE Public” iOS app to merge social, location and businesshttp://venturebeat.com/2011/09/08/doubledutch-hyve-public-app/
http://venturebeat.com/2011/09/08/doubledutch-hyve-public-app/#commentsFri, 09 Sep 2011 03:28:26 +0000http://venturebeat.com/?p=328746This article is part of a series of posts about DEMO alumni and news of their progress. DoubleDutch launched at DEMO in Fall 2010. Check out more at DEMO. Enterprise mobile app startup DoubleDutch on Thursday launched a new iPhone application called HYVE Public for businesses looking for a powerful and free social networking solution. […]
]]>This article is part of a series of posts about DEMO alumni and news of their progress. DoubleDutch launched at DEMO in Fall 2010. Check out more at DEMO.

DoubleDutch launched its premium business-focused app suite in June at the Enterprise 2.0 Conference with the stated intention of improving worker productivity and enabling better collaboration. Those paid apps work across iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry, WebOS, Windows Phone 7, and HTML5.

But the new HYVE Public app, which only runs on the iPhone, represents an opportunity for users to get a taste of DoubleDutch’s premium offerings for free.

“This is a sort of wild experiment to take one of our private apps public,” DoubleDutch CEO Lawrence Coburn told VentureBeat. “It’s not exactly freemium because there’s no way to upgrade in-app. At a bare minimum, it’s a live demo that may interest users in the paid product.”

The new app is based on the idea of “tapping” rather than “typing.” HYVE Public integrates geo-tagging so you can tag where you are when you post an update. It also lets you post your updates to Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook if you so choose.

Coburn said there is a lot happening at the intersection of mobile, social and location right now, but not every network is designed in such a way to better enable businesses.

“Not every business wants to pay for social networking tools,” Coburn said. “And many businesses don’t see Twitter or Foursquare as the right network to accomplish their social goals.”

DoubleDutch emphasizes the four following points as the app’s best features:

· In-app gaming mechanisms for an engaging user experience such as earning badges and points
· A competitive leaderboard that tracks how users are doing against friends as well as the entire user network
· Full integration with Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter for easily broadcasting work achievements out to additional networks
· Personalized analytics that show a graphical breakdown of a user’s productivity and time spent on various projects and customers

Cisco, Amdocs, Adobe, TED and HP are among the companies and organizations currently using the HYVE suite.

Back in April, San Francisco-based DoubleDutch landed $1.2 million in seed funding. That round was led by Lightbank, an investment fund started by Groupon founders Brad Keywell and Eric Lefkofsky. Other participants included Charles River Ventures, Launch Capital, Accelerator Ventures, Venture51 and Zig Capital.

Come to DEMO in Silicon Valley Sept. 12-14 to see new product launches from a worldwide selection of disruptive companies. Register Today and take advantage of our special VentureBeat Partner rate of $995.00.

]]>0DoubleDutch launches “HYVE Public” iOS app to merge social, location and businessWhy the best iPad business apps won’t be in the App Storehttp://venturebeat.com/2011/04/14/ipad-business-apps/
http://venturebeat.com/2011/04/14/ipad-business-apps/#commentsFri, 15 Apr 2011 03:50:05 +0000http://venturebeat.com/?p=254481Guest:Gaming execs: Join 180 select leaders from King, Glu, Rovio, Unity, Facebook, and more to plan your path to global domination in 2015. GamesBeat Summit is invite-only -- apply here. Ticket prices increase on April 3rd! Editor’s note: This discussion about enterprise mobility is one of the five themes we will be focusing on at the VentureBeat Mobile Summit, on April […]
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Editor’s note: This discussion about enterprise mobility is one of the five themes we will be focusing on at the VentureBeat Mobile Summit, on April 25-26. We’ve carefully invited the top executives in mobile to discuss the biggest challenges of the day, which, if solved, can lead to much faster growth in the industry. And at our enterprise session, we’ll have top executives around the table from a number of companies, including Verizon, AT&T, Cisco, Salesforce, Box.net, and more. (If you think you should be part of the discussion, you can apply for a ticket.)

Don’t expect to find the core applications that run the pistons of a business as native apps in Apple’s App Store. With a few exceptions, the future is touch-enabled web applications that will bring a more complete version of a vendor’s feature set to any tablet.

I’ll say it more explicitly: Native apps are for phones, gadgets and games. Touch-enabled web apps are for tablets and broad business applications.

The iPhone’s size has almost necessitated an alternative user experience for business apps, but the iPad’s screen real estate does not suffer that limitation.

The iPad has been in the market for over one year. Conspicuously absent from Smartsheet’s Top iPad Apps for Business lists — produced over the last 8 months by 10 industry watchers — are any cross-business operating apps tackling customer relationship management (CRM), accounting, project management and the like.

Smart software companies are building tablet access into their core products by touch-enabling their existing web applications. For some vendors with form-based solutions, the effort may be fairly simple, for others with rich desktop-class UIs, it is more complex.

Some serious business apps have native tablet versions, but they are either narrow business functions or small carve-outs of their overall solution. Here are some examples:

Some examples of companies with broader business operations applications that are benefiting from the touch-enabled web app approach are:

The key reasons to go native on the iPhone / iPad have been: performance, access to device features (geo-location, camera, etc….), offline support, and most importantly, an entry in the App Store Directory (this will be the only remaining benefit to building native business apps in 12- 18 months).

But the following dynamics in the tablet ecosystem are predicting the demise of that native apps advantage:

Competition Among Tablets Will Dramatically Improve Performance
Intense competition in the tablet market will drive hardware, browser and connectivity performance closer and closer to parity with PCs. Note the step up in hardware power from the iPad to the recently released Motorola Xoom and iPad 2. Vendors do not build native apps for PCs and Laptops any more, and the reasons for that will be just as valid for tablets.

HTML5 Will Erase Native App’s Device Advantage
HTML5 will give browser apps powers that until recently have only been accessible by native apps such as instant on, access to camera, location, and off-line. And, unless it’s a game, most apps require connectivity to be useful anyway. (Here’s a good write-up on this, and here’s another VentureBeat piece on HTML5 versus native.)

Web Apps Will Outpace and Outreach the Natives (adding features vs platforms)
As more tablets come to market on more operating systems, ISVs will become weighted down building redundant apps for each OS. This will inherently come at the expense of adding more features to a single web app. Inherent in any application development toolkit are its limitations, and Apple’s is no different. Richer experiences are possible with today’s browser development tools.

Businesses Will Favor App Stores that Include “Bookmark a Link” Apps
Apple forbids “pointers” or “very thin wrappers” to touch-enabled web business apps. This benefits Apple, but not business users. There are a host of good business apps that work on the iPad browser, but they’re not present in the App Store. This is slowing the growth of the iPad as a business tool. The marketplace that lists compatible business apps will have a broad audience – one that expects them.

The debate will continue on both the mobile and tablet fronts and it depends on a multitude of factors, but ultimately businesses will choose which approach delivers a more compelling user experience for their specific application. ZDNet reports on three of the key business scenarios prevalent with the iPad, which includes 1) sales people out in the field, 2) executives on an overnight trip, and 3) warehouse managers, retail floor staff, medical staff, and anybody else that needs real access to apps while on their feet.

A tablet untethers the user categories above from a desk if it can handle typically more comprehensive operational business applications that can cover a diversity of business needs. For example, this video shows the owner of a 109-year-old lumber operation bringing automation to the mill floor via the iPad.

For this company and the millions just like it, the need for rich tablet-ready business apps is real, but native apps aren’t there yet. Thankfully, there is an app for that. But you’ll have to look beyond the App Store.